Social Security Scotland has issued a new update for people applying for devolved disability benefits including Adult or Child Disability Payment. Adult Disability Payment has now replaced new claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) made by people living in Scotland and Disability Living Allowance for Children was replaced by Child Disability Payment in November 2021.
Components for daily living and mobility of both benefits are paid at the same weekly rate as their counterpart which is administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Following the annual uprating on April 10, both benefits are worth up to £172.75 each week and designed to cover costs incurred by having a disability, long-term illness or mental or physical health condition.
The current processing time for new applications for Adult Disability Payment is 79 working days (around 16 weeks), but in a post on Twitter, Social Security Scotland said: “Providing supporting information with your application will help us make decisions faster”.
The tweet from the official account also shared a link to examples of supporting information on mygov.scot here that can be included with an application for the devolved disability benefits.
Social Security Scotland advised that you can provide any information you think will be helpful, however supporting information is usually copies of documents that you may have already.
This includes:
- social care assessments
- medical reports, letters or certificates
- prescription lists that show the medication you take
- test results
Why supporting information is needed
The guidance explains: ‘Supporting information helps Social Security Scotland make sure it has as much detail as possible before making a determination on your application or reviewing your existing award.”
This is information that describes:
- how a condition or disability affects you
- what support you need
It adds that Social Security Scotland uses supporting information to:
- help understand your application
- make a determination on your application and entitlement
You can provide documents or Social Security Scotland can gather information on your behalf. You should still apply if you do not have documents or do not know who to speak to.
Social Security Scotland can still consider your application without this information. Find out more on mygov.scot here.
it's worth reminding existing PIP claimants that they do not need to apply for Adult Disability Payment as awards will be transferred automatically before the end of 2025. Letters will be sent out when your case is being transferred, there will be no changes or interruptions to payments and the process takes three months, on average - find out more here.
To keep up to date with the latest devolved benefits news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, follow us on Twitter @Record_Money, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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